Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has identified a bright talent from the team of Sun Risers Hyderabad. He is none other than Umran Malik. The fast bowler has indeed impressed Shastri.
Umran Malik is the uncapped bowler of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team. The 22-year-old Srinagar pacer impressed in his maiden season for SRH in IPL 2021. The team’s franchise retained him for Rs 4 crore ahead of the mega auction in Bengaluru.
The youngster showcased his mettle during the team’s opening IPL game against Rajasthan Royals. Umran Malik was one of the very bowlers who brought the best out of himself against the Rajasthan Royals. The right-arm fast bowler scored only 39 runs in the match.
However, he did justice to his selection by taking two important wickets. The youngster went on to dismiss the likes of Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal.
England international Jos Buttler proved to be dangerous as he scored runs at will. The right-handed batter was en route to scoring a fifty. However, Umran Malik got rid of the RR opener for 35 runs.
Later on, he dismissed Padikkal to claim his second wicket in the game. Padikkal was also looking dangerous with the bat. The southpaw took the attack to the cleaners as he scored 41 off only 29 deliveries. He struck 4 fours and 2 sixes before falling prey to Umran Malik. The 22-year-old pacer finished with figures of 2/37 even as Rajasthan posted 210 on the board in 20 overs.
Now we come to the part where Umran Malik impressed Ravi Shastri. Ravi Shastri is plying his trade as a Hindi commentator in the ongoing edition of the IPL. The former head coach has predicted Umran Malik to play for Team India in the near future.
Ravi Shastri also came up with a clear explanation behind the same. The commentator said he was impressed with the young pacer’s 150 km/h delivery during the game against Rajasthan Royals. He drew plaudits for his exceptional bowling skills. Speaking on Star Sports, Ravi Shastri added that Umran Malik has got the talent and genuine pace in his armory.
This former Indian player went on to say very inspiring things about the Sunrisers Hyderabad player. He quoted, “If he hits the right areas, he is going to trouble a lot of batsmen. It is about handling him properly. It is the messages that you give him, it is the way you communicate with him that is going to be very very important.”
He further went on to say, “THERE IS NO DOUBT IN HIS POTENTIAL. THIS GUY IS AN INDIA PLAYER. WHEN HE IS READY, ONLY TIME WILL TELL, BUT THAT COMMUNICATION PART IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. HE SHOULD BE HANDLED WITH CARE AND KEPT IN THE MIX.”
Shastri further added that the Indian cricket team should use Umran Malik as a net bowler. He said, “Umran should be kept in the mix of the Indian cricket team, the A-team. The selectors will have to watch him closely and keep him in the mix as much as they can.”